Mounting electrical sockets for a lighting fixture

ABSTRACT

A mounting for an electrical socket for a lighting fixture whereby the socket is provided with an attachment clip, permitting it to be readily locked with a support bracket of any length, which support bracket is secured to an arm of a lighting fixture. This arrangement permits support brackets of any desired length to be used to provide the required support length.

United States Patent Inventor Robert S. lFremont Wilmette, Ill.

Appl. No. 878,008

Filed Nov. 19, 1969 Patented Nov. 16, 1971 Assignee Halo LightingDivision, :1 Division of McGraw Edison Company Rosemont, Ill.

MOUNTING ELECTRICAL SOCKETS FOR A LIGHTING FIXTURE 7 Claims, 8 DrawingFigs.

Int.Cl ....F21V21/12 Field 011 Search 240/10 B, 10.64, 52.4, 13

I56] Rei'erences Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,156,727 10/1915 Wagner240/524 1,200,877 10/1916 Sable 240/524 X 1,328,581 1/1920 Morey...240/524 X 1,678,144 7/1928 HubbellW 240/524 2,132,852 10/1938 Johnson240/524 3,225,186 12/1965 Duncan 240/1064 Primary Examiner.lames J. GillAttorney-Max R. Kraus ABSTRACT: A mounting for an electrical socket fora lighting fixture whereby the socket is provided with an attachmentclip, permitting it to be readily locked with a support bracket of anylength, which support bracket is secured to an arm ofa lighting fixture.This arrangement permits support brackets of any desired length to beused to provide the required support length.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In providing supports for electricalsockets which are connected to the arm of a lighting fixture, it isnecessary that there be carried in stock as standard equipment a unitcomprising a socket fixedly attached to a support bracket of a definedlength. Since such units require support brackets of various lengths,dependent upon the length of the decorative sleeve, it becomes necessaryto carry a large inventory of such units in different lengths. With thisinvention this is eliminated as the socket comes separate and isdetached from the support bracket but has means for the ready attachmentthereto of a support bracket of any desired length. Instead of supplyingunits of various lengths it is only necessary to supply common socketsand supply support brackets of various lengths, which support bracketscan be readily coupled to the sockets. This reduces the inventory thathas to be stocked and results in appreciable savings.

Other objects will become apparent as this description progresses.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a view of a portion of a candelabra utilizing the invention.

FIG. 2 is an end view partly in section, showing the invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view ofFIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an exploded side view showing the socket, connector andsupport bracket.

FIG. 5 is a view taken on line 55 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged end view partly in section.

FIG. 7 is a view taken on line 77 of FIG. 6, and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the connector clip.

The invention is herein described in connection with an electricalcandelabra fixture, although it is not so limited.

The lighting fixture generally indicated at 10 is supported in asuspended position on a rod, cord or chain 1 .2. The lighting fixturehas a plurality of arms 14, only one of which is shown in detail. Thearm 14 is tubular and is shaped as best shown in FIG. I, with the outerend 16 of the arm extending vertically and being externally threaded asat 18 to receive the internally threaded sleeve ofa support for a socketand light which forms this invention.

A conventional socket 20 has a flattened surface 22 to which is attachedan attachment clip generally indicated at 24 by means of a rivet orother fastener 26. The attachment clip 24, best shown in FIGS. 4, 6 and8, is formed of metal and comprises a lower portion which is shaped toprovide at one end a forwardly extending side 28 and inwardly extendingflange 29 which, as best seen in FIG. 7, inclines inwardly toward theback. The opposite side of the clip extends forwardly and inwardly toform with the back a generally U- shaped configuration 30. These flangesform channels 32 and 34 for receiving the upper end of the supportbracket, to be described.

The lower portion of the clip has a small tongue 36 punched out whichextends forwardly into the recess. The upper portion 38 of the clip hasa reduced width and is provided with an opening 39 which is engaged bythe rivet 26 previously described. A vertically extending reinforcingrib 40 is provided. The clip 24 is secured to the socket so that thelower end of the clip extends below the bottom of the socket and extendsinwardly thereof, as best seen in FIG. 6.

The supporting member generally indicated at 42 includes a flat supportbracket 44 formed of metal, of generally rectangular shape, the upperportion of which is provided with an opening 45. The upper portion ofthe support bracket is inserted in the channels 32 and 34 of the clipand as the opening 65 in the support bracket passes the tongue 36 itlocks therewith ermanently so that it cannot be detached therefrom. beinclined front flange 29 urges and maintains the support bracket inclose contact with the tongue 36 of the clip. The lower end of thesupport bracket 44 has an internally threaded sleeve 46 with a bottomflange portion 48.

In mounting the holder on the arm, a dish-shaped member 50 with itscentral opening 51 is positioned on the end of the arm M to rest againsta head 52 on the arm. The internally threaded sleeve 36 of the supportbracket 44 is threaded to the threaded end 118 of the arm 14 to hold theparts together so that the socket is supported. A light bulb 54 issupported in the socket 20 and a decorative sleeve 56 is positionedaround the socket 20 and support bracket 44 and rests in the decorativedish 50. The conducting wires 58 from the socket extend through thedecorative sleeve and into and through the arm of the candelabra and areconnected in the conventional manner to the current supply.

I claim:

1. A mounting for an electrical socket for a lighting fixture, saidmounting comprising a socket, and and attachment clip secured thereto,said clip having a channel and a tongue, a plurality of support bracketsof varying lengths each for selective use with said clip to form amounting of a desired length, each said support bracket having anopening at the upper end thereof and secured within the channel of theclip with the tongue of the clip engaging the opening in the supportbracket whereby the support bracket is permanently secured to said clipto support the socket, said support bracket having means at the otherend whereby said support bracket can be secured to a lighting fixture.

2. A mounting for an electrical socket for a lighting fixture, saidmounting comprising a socket, and a single attachment clip securedthereto, said attachment clip extending vertically of said socket andhaving interlocking means to which a single support bracket is secured,a plurality of support brackets of varying lengths each for selectiveuse with said single clip to form a mounting of a desired length, eachsaid support bracket comprising a single member having a verticallyextending upper portion with means for interlocking with said verticallyextending attachment clip, said interlocking means on said clip andbracket including a channel and a tongue and means for receiving thetongue whereby the supporting bracket is permanently interlocked to saidclip by inserting one relative to the other, said support bracket havingmeans at the other end whereby said support bracket can be secured to alighting fixture.

3. A mounting as set forth in claim 2 in which the socket has aflattened surface with the attachment clip permanently secured to saidsurface and in which the channel is on the clip.

4. A mounting as set forth in claim 3 in which the clip has a channelfor receiving one end of the support bracket, said clip and supportbracket having cooperating means whereby said support bracket ispermanently secured to said clip.

5. A mounting as set forth in claim 2 in which the clip has a channelfor receiving one end of the support bracket said clip having a tongueadapted to engage an opening in the support bracket whereby said supportbracket is permanently secured to said clip.

6. A mounting as set forth in claim 2. in which the attachment clip hasthe channel and said channel is positioned below the socket to receivethe upper end of the support bracket.

7. A mounting as set forth in claim 6 in which the channel of theattachment clip is formed by spaced flanges, at least one of which isinclined inwardly to urge said support bracket against the clip.

2. A mounting for an electrical socket for a lighting fixture, saidmounting comprising a socket, and a single attachment clip securedthereto, said attachment clip extending vertically of said socket andhaving interlocking means to which a single support bracket is secured,a plurality of support brackets of varying lengths each for selectiveuse with said single clip to form a mounting of a desired length, eachsaid support bracket comprising a single member having a verticallyextending upper portion with means for interlocking with said verticallyextending attachment clip, said interlocking means on said clip andbracket including a channel and a tongue and means for receiving thetongue whereby the supporting bracket is permanently interlocked to saidclip by inserting one relative to the other, said support bracket havingmeans at the other end whereby said support bracket can be secured to alighting fixture.
 3. A mounting as set forth in claim 2 in which thesocket has a flattened surface with the attachment clip permanentlysecured to said surface and in which the channel is on the clip.
 4. Amounting as set forth in claim 3 in which the clip has a channel forreceiving one end of the support bracket, said clip and support brackethaving cooperating means whereby said support bracket is permanentlysecured to said clip.
 5. A mounting as set forth in claim 2 in which theclip has a channel for receiving one end of the support bracket saidclip having a tongue adapted to engage an opening in the support bracketwhereby said support bracket is permanently secured to said clip.
 6. AmountIng as set forth in claim 2 in which the attachment clip has thechannel and said channel is positioned below the socket to receive theupper end of the support bracket.
 7. A mounting as set forth in claim 6in which the channel of the attachment clip is formed by spaced flanges,at least one of which is inclined inwardly to urge said support bracketagainst the clip.